Pastor's Corner — Providence Presbyterian Church

Read: Matthew 7

Matthew 7 completes the Sermon on the Mount section of Matthew’s gospel. In this chapter, Jesus takes up several subjects. First, he treats the issue of hypocrisy in judgment (7:1-6). These verses have often been misunderstood and wrongly applied. Some argue that Jesus is teaching that we are never to make judgments about the behavior of others. If that is the case, verse 6 would be strange, as well as many other sections of Scripture (E.g., Matt. 18:15ff.). Jesus teaches us that we are not to judge by hypocrisy. Instead, we must be mindful of our sinful tendencies before we judge and address issues with our brothers and sisters.

bible readingWilliam HillFebruary 24, 2023Matthew 7

Bible Knowledge Project: Genesis 7

Read: Genesis 7

Genesis Seven continues the flood narrative that started in chapter six. There are two main sections in this chapter to consider. First, the preparation for Noah to enter the ark. God gives the direct command to Noah for the building of the ark, and it is God who tells Noah what to do as he prepares to enter the ark. Next, in 7:1-10, we see God’s specific instructions for preserving the creatures he made.

bible readingWilliam HillFebruary 21, 2023Genesis 7

Bible Knowledge Project: Matthew 6

Read: Matthew 6

Matthew Six continues the Sermon on the Mount. In this chapter, the Lord Jesus addresses numerous items. First, he discusses the issue of giving to the needy. Of course, all Christians should be doing that, but notice that Jesus says it should be done without drawing attention to the action. Instead, serve and give to others without fanfare. Second, the Lord teaches his disciples to pray. Again, the emphasis on prayer in the life of Christ is significant. It should be for us as well. If Jesus prayed, how much more should we pray? Third, and closely related, is the subject of fasting. Fasting does not receive much attention in the church today.

bible readingWilliam HillFebruary 17, 2023Matthew 6

Bible Knowledge Project: Genesis 6

Read: Genesis 6

Genesis Six sets the stage for the Flood narrative highlighted in chapters 7-9. It sets forth the issues that bring about the flood and the judgment of God on the earth. There are numerous items of academic consideration in this chapter. For instance, who are the Nephilim? What is their function in the narrative? Scholars have debated this question, and the short answer is that we do not know.

bible reading, GenesisWilliam HillFebruary 14, 2023Bible Knowledge, Genesis, Noah, Ark, Flood, Genesis 6

Bible Knowledge Project: Matthew 5

Read: Matthew 5

Matthew Five begins the first major discourse of the book. Running through chapter seven, that section is known as the Sermon on the Mount. The entire Sermon is meant to unpack the real intention of the Law as given to the people of old.

bible readingWilliam HillFebruary 10, 2023Matthew, Matthew 5

Bible Knowledge Project: Genesis 5

Read: Genesis 5

Genesis Five is the first of the long genealogies found in the Bible. Many people skim through the genealogies of the Pentateuch because they do not understand their purpose and function in the narrative. The genealogy of this chapter serves a few functions.

bible readingWilliam HillFebruary 8, 2023Bible Knowledge, Genesis 5

Bible Knowledge Project: Matthew 4

Read: Matthew 4

Matthew four can be divided into two main sections. The first is found in 4:1-11, where we observe the onslaught of the Evil One against the Savior. The second is found in 4:12-23, where Jesus begins his public ministry and calls his first disciples.

bible readingWilliam HillFebruary 2, 2023Bible Knowledge, Matthew 4

Bible Knowledge Project: Genesis 4

Read: Genesis 4

Genesis Four describes the nature and consequence of sin and is placed here in the Genesis narrative to highlight that aspect in the lives of two of the children of Adam and Eve. Throughout Scripture, we are repeatedly told that the nature of sin and its wages are death. We are also told that all have sinned; each inherits a sinful nature from our parents. Due to the rebellion of our first parents, sin passes to each subsequent generation and will continue to do so until the Lord Jesus returns.

bible readingWilliam HillJanuary 31, 2023Genesis 4

Bible Knowledge Project: Matthew 3

Read: Matthew 3

Matthew 3 highlights the work of John the Baptist as the forerunner of Christ. His mission was to preach the kingdom of God and call people to repentance. He is the last of the Old Testament prophets and described as the greatest of them all. He is the Elijah-type figure of the New Testament, proclaiming hope and forgiveness through Christ. The chapter also highlights the baptism of Jesus by John.

bible readingWilliam HillJanuary 28, 2023Matthew 3

Bible Knowledge Project: Genesis 3

Read: Genesis 3

Genesis three is often considered the darkest chapter in the Bible. It is the narrative of the fall of mankind into sin and misery. Though Adam and Eve were Fashioned by God, brought into his presence, dwelling with him in the garden, they determined to rebel against the command of their Creator by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The chapter is not without hope, however. Embedded within the bad news is the good news of the Gospel. The entire chapter is a summary of the human condition. All mankind is born into sin, but the hope of the Gospel remains a free offer to them.

bible readingWilliam HillJanuary 24, 2023Genesis 3

Bible Knowledge Project: Matthew 2

Read: Matthew 2

The main focus of this second chapter is the visit of the wise men as they followed the star to where Christ was living. The thematic structure of this chapter parallels that of Exodus 2 when the king of Egypt sought to destroy the Christ-like child in the person of Moses.

bible readingWilliam HillJanuary 20, 2023Matthew 2

Bible Knowledge Project: Genesis 2

READ: Genesis 2

Genesis two has been regarded by most scholars to be a microscopic look into the creation of man. It is another account of the creation of our first parents. Additionally, this chapter highlights the nature and importance of the Sabbath and that of marriage.

2:1-3

This section highlights the importance of the Sabbath day. That day is significant and set aside by God for the express purpose of worshiping him. On the other six days, God called his work “good.” On the seventh day, no such reference is made. Instead, he calls it holy – a day set apart from the other activities accompanying creation week. There is a second observation of significance in this section: the absence of the phrase “evening and morning,” which we find connected to the other days of creation. There is a good reason for that: the seventh day is the day of worship, and worship never ends. Man was made on the sixth day to worship God on the seventh. All of our life is to be an act of worship, and we were made to glorify God with everything we do, say, or think (1 Cor. 10:31; WSC 1).

bible readingWilliam HillJanuary 17, 2023Genesis 2, Sabbath, marriage

The Pastor’s Corner

The blog of Pastor William F. Hill, Jr.